It's gotten mixed reviews for sure, his team did get better as the 2nd half of the season but I can't say that fans feel they haven't taken a downgrade in coaching replacing Link Jarrett. We'll have to wait and see how this upcoming season plays out.
The only thing I note in reports coming out of fall camp is that anybody who thought that CJ Carr was a lock to win the QB1 job, better think again. Kenny Minchey so far might be having the better camp although both of them struggled in the 1st day of camp.
Jon Gruden can sometimes be over the top.183K views · 3.7K reactions | Look at what box just came through the doors of the FFCA... it might be the box of all boxes. THE NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH, MAN! My dad used to coach running backs at Notre Dame, and I went to high school in South Bend! Thank you Coach Freeman and @ndfootball for this box!! | Jon Gruden
Apparently Kedren Young, soph RB, is out for 4-6 months for an undisclosed injury (at this time). He was having a great camp was looking like a great 3rd down and short yardage back.
Gruden certainly exhibited an encyclopedic knowledge for ND football players, only thing he blew was Brandon Aubrey kicker for the Cowboys who so far has been amazing, but although he's a ND grad he never put on a football uniform at ND. Soccer.`
I watched the entire Gruden post and likewise was impressed but puzzled by the Brandon Aubrey reference because I hadn't heard of him at ND. Nevertheless, he has an amazing memory for former ND players. What a haul!
Luke Talich is a kid I really like, comes from Casper Wyoming and wanted to be at ND bad enough that he turned down scholarships to be a PWO at ND, he's earned a scholarship since arriving.
Terry, I remember we both liked Talich when he committed as a preferred PWO. I think it was you who posted the story and pointed out his HS accomplishments. Not surprised he got a scholarship and looking forward to seeing him on the field this season.
Much injured TE Kevin Bauman has medically retired after his latest injury. He had a lot of promise but the injuries have just prevented him from reaching that potential. Kedren Young will be back next year.
Lots of angst amongst ND fans over our QB situation. It's more than that none of our QB's have any game experience. It's that one of them hasn't stepped up and seized the job. A lot of people were hoping that CJ Carr would be that guy, but Minchey has his hat in the ring as well.
How is this a bad thing? Is the season going to be only skilled players (QBs and receivers)?, or will there be LBs, DTs, DEs, CBs, OLs, TEs, and TBs (including a Heisman candidate)? I think we'll be competitive.
I think the fear is that without very good QB play all those other parts of the team are impacted and we could end up a good team but one with 3 or 4 losses.
Ten FBS teams that will not play an FCS team in 2025: Colorado, Michigan, Notre Dame, Sam Houston, Stanford, Texas, Tulane, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin — Brian Fremeau (@bcfremeau) August 11, 2025
Terry, sometimes you just have to...either to scheduling or another team cancelling...or even pressure from your state legislature to keep the $ in state. But kudos to those who don't schedule pushovers. I'm not gonna look up all the above schedules but the cynic in me thinks that some of those ten teams play some pretty weak FBS teams.
Apparently the OL is set except for RG where Lambert and Absher are battling it out for the starting slot. A lot of talk that maybe Ben Minchey is leading fo the starting QB slot.
This QB competition is really getting the fans riled up, they wanted somebody to just go out and be the better qb by a lot and that doesn't seem to have happened at least not yet. Who ever starts vs Miami if they don't look great there will be an uproar that Gino is a crap QB coach and that it's all on the staff for not having a great first time starter ready to go. If whoever starts has a great game, then never mind.
Big scrimmage today and a Marcus Freeman press conference. Still no word on who will start at QB. It's looking very much like we will have a National Championship level defense, not sure about the offense.